Around the School 

Ivy West successful in securing Elsa Dixon Traineeship - Guyra Central School

The Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grant (EDAEG) adopts a number of strategies to develop and support Aboriginal people through the creation of training and employment opportunities. Promoting diversity, innovation and service responsiveness in the NSW workforce, the Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grant subsidises the salary, development and support costs of Aboriginal employees in public service agencies and local government authorities.

Who was Elsa Dixon?

Born in 1925, Elsa Dixon was an extraordinary Aboriginal woman who played a key role in improving social outcomes for Aboriginal people in NSW. With Aboriginal people at the heart of her life and work, Elsa knew that to overcome social inequality, they needed education, training and employment—the foundations of an informed and just society. Elsa was one of the founding members of the Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs and the Aboriginal Medical Service in Redfern, remaining a member until her passing in 1993.

We are pleased to announce that Ivy West, who is new to our school, has been awarded a Certificate III in School Aged Education Support, School-based Apprenticeship and Traineeship (SBA/Ts) for 2023-2024. SBA/Ts are a great way for students like Ivy to set themselves up for the career of their choice, or similar, while completing their final years of schooling.

Ivy is attending Guyra Central School as a Big Picture Student and is looking forward to combining her SBA/T experience and her interest area projects each term.

Ivy chose to apply for the traineeship as it aligned with the subject area that she is passionate about, along with on-the-job training and being paid to follow her interests. She is looking forward to learning how to become an SLSO, supporting young students inside and outside the classroom. She hopes the traineeship will give her the confidence to work with students in the classroom, especially Indigenous students and help to give them a chance to be themselves and express who they are in a safe school environment. She also hopes that this traineeship will help her to work towards completing a qualification before heading out into the workplace permanently post school. Ivy hopes to one day transfer these skills into becoming an Aboriginal Education Officer (AEO) in schools.

Great Aussie Bush Camp - Stage 3's Adventure

Stage 3 set off on what has been described by many students who have attended in the past as the 'BEST EXCURSION EVER' , The Great Aussie Bush Camp at Tea Gardens.  

There was never a dull moment for Stage 3 during their great aussie adventure during week 8 participating in activities which included; High Ropes, Giant Swing, Dual Flying Fox, Rock Climbing, Rain Forest Walk, Sand Dunes, Power Fan, Archery, Crate Climb, Raft Building, Lost Island, Snorkelling, Fencing and the Lost Island during the day.  At night Stage 3 participated in Talent Quests, Challenge Night, County Fair and had a Camp Fire every night.  

Stage 3 had a fantastic time. Here is what some of our students had to say about their week:

Camp was a great time for all of us over the 5 day period. We did activities every day and most of them we needed to wear a safety harness. We were split into year 5 and year 6 groups and the first activity year 6 did was the Giant Swing. It helped us conquer our fear of heights. The week was great fun and our Camp Leaders  Dan and Courtney were really nice to us and they would show us how to use the harness and how to do each activity. The food was really great. The cabins were hot.

Tyler Bourke 

Stage 3 Indigo

I loved The Great Aussie Bush Camp, it was an amazing experience and I don't think I will forget the fun we had any time soon. Everything we did was fun but I mostly enjoyed the Giant Swing, Power Fan and the Dual Flying Fox.  The night activities were also really good, my favourite night activity was Commando.

Thank you to Mrs Vidler, Miss O'Hara, Mr Alletsee and Eunice for taking us.

Sammy-Rose Dowden

Stage 3 Silver

My excursion to Great Aussie Bush Camp was one of the most fun experiences  of my life - as well as scary. The activities that I did were just terrifying, but to make them fun it had to be scary. When I got there the first thing we did was the treetops, and of course I didn't put on the flying fox and got stuck. Then the power fan, oh well it was releasing but extremely terrifying, when you're up you don't want to go down. I then went on the giant swing, I think I was mistaken as an eagle because all I was doing was squealing. Overall it was a great experience and I hope to go there again one day.

Elsa Kliendienst 

Stage 3 Silver

Stage 2 Thalgarrah Excursion

Thalgarrah Environmental Education Centre is nestled amongst woodland on the banks of the Gara River approx. 18km from Armidale's CBD. Stage 2 were provided with a range of quality, curriculum-based environmental education and sustainability programs.  Year 4 stayed overnight last Wednesday night, while Year 3 came to visit on Thursday. Some favourite activities included Orienteering, Tribes and Territories in the bushland, hot chocolates with marshmallows after dinner, team-building games, catching yabbies, holding a snake and lizard and looking at water from the creek under the microscope. Thank you Miss O'Hara, Mrs Peoples and Mrs Paull for taking us on this fun excursion. 

Year 10 Coffs Harbour Excursion

Last Wednesday, Year 10 travelled to Coffs Harbour for a fun filled day to celebrate together the end of four years of High School. The Tree Tops Adventure was the first stop. 

The students braved the high ropes and zip lines from the beginner course to the advanced course. Two and a half hours later they were very happy with their achievements’ which tested their agility, strength, stamina and any fear of heights.

 A well-deserved rest and lunch at the Thai Restaurant followed. Lastly an ocean swim with perfect weather conditions and several beach activities including beach cricket capped off a great day.

 I am very proud of every student who all made this trip so enjoyable with their positive attitude and respectful nature. Also, their thoughtfulness to assist me without being asked such as Archie Dowden leading the group to thank the Restaurant Staff and collecting any rubbish from the bus, Emily Jackson and Oscar Atkin who carried all the gear to my car. Lastly a huge thank you to Linley Ryan who drove the bus expertly, joined the students in the Tree Tops and supervised in the water. Legend!

Wendy Wilson

Year 10 Advisor

Year 11 Visual Art 

Year 11 student Selina Surawski has really enjoyed her time in Art this year and recently finished her major art work for year 11. 

Selina has used a white cockatoo as the focus subject of her artwork. She hopes that the white cockatoo featured on our school logo  reflects her passion for education and her passion for birds.

Selina’s addition of traditional Aboriginal Art was used to reflect parts of her family’s culture. She also added abstract elements and a city as Selina felt these additions added character to her artwork. 

Thank you Selina for sharing your art.